60052 Cargo Train vs. 60098 Heavy-Haul Train?

[wgemini]

Will be my first train set, mostly for my toddler son to play with as a playset. Both of them are on sale right now for similar price (about 20% off). Which one would you recommend?

[Riley-NZL]

IMO, 60052 is the better set, nicer looking train, more track (has a small siding as well as a loop) and the gantry crane has more play value then the crane in the 60098 set.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Riley-NZL

[dr_spock]

60052 train engine will most closely resemble ones found in Canada. You could also ask your son which one he likes more, if it is for him like you said.

[Murdoch17]

I think 60052 is a better choice, as it is more aligned to your area (North America) and can be modified to be more like this GP-40 (motorized and non-motorized versions available in the link seen in the photo) from Zephyr1934 (sorry it's a bit big, it's not my photo)

....and then there is my MOD of the MOC seen above, made into a SD-40 and with the motor removed.

I can upload the ldd file if anyone wants it for the SD-40...

[Paperballpark]

Yes I'd say 60052 as well. I have both, and much prefer that one. I modified mine to be the same length as the Maersk train, as I think it looks better like that.

[Severus A]

I would also recommend 60052. Besides the fact that it has much more elements that could be used for play, it also contain a cow minifig which is a rare part.

[davidmull]

Depends were ur from. Us in Europe prefer 60098 because it's like our trains.

[goody82]

I absolutely suggest 60052, I think the engine looks great, I actually hate my 60098 and mostly just bought it for collector's OCD and to use the parts for other trains.

[Paperballpark]

Depends were ur from. Us in Europe prefer 60098 because it's like our trains.

Speak for yourself. I'm in the UK and I prefer 60052

[Aegis1984]

What 60098 has going for it right now, is that it's on sale for $191.98 CAD from $239.99 CAD on the Canadian Shop @ Home if that helps sway you in any way. Free shipping since it's over $75 CAD

[wgemini]

What 60098 has going for it right now, is that it's on sale for $191.98 CAD from $239.99 CAD on the Canadian Shop @ Home if that helps sway you in any way. Free shipping since it's over $75 CAD

Thank you all. Yeah, 60098 is on sales at S@H, but Costco.ca has 60052 at $178. 60098 is still cheaper due to VIP + bonus polybag, but I ended up getting 60052 based on your advices. However, I am not sure I feel safe letting my son play with it seeing how he demolished my fire truck instead of playing with the features, so I ended up getting 10508 for him. Might keep 60052 for myself.

Edited March 2, 2016 by wgemini

[yohai71]

I also have both kits- I actually prefer the European style of 60098's engine, but I must say 60052 has much better play features, plus you get two switch-points with the kit.

Best to get them both...

[AirborneAFOL]

60052 has indisputably better design, better resale value. Should be a no brainer.

[davidmull]

60052 has indisputably better design, better resale value. Should be a no brainer.

Better design why? I don't agree.

[AirborneAFOL]

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. But my read on the secondary market is that the various components of 60052 sell at a notably higher rate than 60098. Certainly "dollar votes" are being cast in favor of the 60052 engine, loading dock, and wagons (with the exception of 60098's hopper).

Of course, that's just my impression - I could be mistaken, or it could be due to underlying buyer-trend factors...

[MGCJerry]

I had a lot of fun with my 60052. So much so I bought another one and made a bigger crane that spans 2 parallel tracks. I prefer the looks of the 60052 since it looks more like the locos I'm familiar with.